Have we mentioned that we're starting to like this whole "season" business that we experience living out here? Spring is like a reawakening of the senses-- the bursts of color, the smell of fresh cut grass, and even the ridiculous coat of pollen that sends your immune system into overdrive all remind us that we are alive. This past weekend we took a short trip over to the National Arboretum to experience the azeleas in peak bloom.



There were butterflies


and critters


and a magical painting made of flowers on a hillside garden.


We decided to bring the tricycle from Lola, so that Linus could enjoy the hike big-boy-style. No one mentioned there would be hills.


So I huffed it


and at some points grunted my way along the trail.


I did all the work but the boys insisted we stop for a snack.


"No mine." is what Linus answers to a lot of questions. He's at the age when resource guarding is key to survival.


His ride parked along the trail.


And some more views from the hike.


We don't go to church, or believe in a god, but beauty like this makes us wonder about the workings of the universe and our tiny role in the natural world. It certainly reminds us to inhale deeply (despite the allergies), take in all that life has to give, and appreciate the beauty in each and every living thing.

Fire Station #5

This past Wednesday was (no exaggeration) the best day of Linus' life. Wonderful Lee, a mom in our Wednesday playgroup, arranged for a fire station tour in Arlington since her sone Iain (like Linus) is obsessed with firetrucks.



Fire station #5 is a near brand new station in South Arlington, and is the closest station to the Pentagon.







First stop was the firefighters' rest and relaxation room. Check out the spacious leather recliners! What you can't see is a 42" flat screen TV on the wall. The kids made themselves at home right away.






Next stop was the kitchen, where the firefighters cook and eat together every night. One person gets assigned the job of cooking, while two sorry suckers have to wash all the dishes at the end of the meal.






And do firefighters love their meat and potatoes? Ofcourse!






Then the most exciting part of all: the firetrucks. As we were getting an intro to their top of the line fleet, they got an emergency call! We stood on the sidelines and watched them race out of there quickly.





Saying "bye-bye"






Linus was so mesmerized he didn't shout his usual "wee-oo-wee-oo" until after the truck had left.






Luckily there was a ladder truck still in the garage, and another firefighter was there to continue the tour. Firetrucks are like giant tool boxes, with cutters, fans, axes, and a whole lot of other manly looking things. Not even 3 minutes after the first truck left, they got another emergency call!






So the second crew high tailed it outta there leaving 4 moms and a grandma ALONE in the fire station. We coulda stole their london broils in the kitchen! We coulda burned the place down!






But instead, we took a moment to take a group photo ;)






Eventually the guys came back and took up us to see the pole.









We all took our turns driving the truck.






But they wouldn't let us try on their helmets 'cuz kids sometimes come with headlice or ringworm.






And eventually they came back to talk with us some more. Did you know that this fire company was the first responder to the Pentagon on 9/11? That these guys work 24 hour shifts and sleep in dorm rooms some nights? That they are able to make their beds every night at the fire station but somehow forget how when they get back to their real houses? That the fire captain always gets to ride shotgun?






The tour lasted about an hour, and while I would like to say the memories will last a lifetime for Linus, somehow I know that just isn't so.






But for us moms (and one grandma) the excitement in the kids' faces has been permanently etched in our memories.

Spring Eggstravaganza

In my opinion, one of the best things about having a kid is that you get to relive your childhood (the good parts) all over again. Remember how much fun you had decorating Easter eggs in preparation for the big hunt?

During our Wednesday playgroup, we decided to picnic outside and decorate eggs. Check out Linus' face-- "You're making me do crafts, again?"



He was not all that in to the egg painting. Instead, he ate all the egg "casualties" (the ones that fell on the ground and got cracked) with delight. 4 eggs in one afternoon= one stinky diaper.



Then we lost control all together and the munchkins began to migrate up the hill and under the table.



Maben and Linus



The following Saturday we decided to skip the massive city sponsored egg hunts for a more private, controlled event at Maben's house. Part of it had to do with my total annoyance of misbehaving, aggressive children who would likely push Linus out of the way for the loot. But mainly I wanted to do a potluck brunch and stuff my fat prego belly (which I did.)

Heading to the backyard.



Obligatory posed photo



And they're off! I was little anxious about how this would go over. My first memories of egg hunting were from when I was 4 years old and living in Idaho. The memories are actually still quite vivid, and sadly traumatic. I would look over to Alvin's full basket, frantically search for the nearest egg insight, but I was too slow. By the time I spotted one, Alvin would run over and snatch it. After a short period of time I became frustrated and just lost it-- Easter egg hunting turned Easter tantrum throwing. To top it all off, at the end of the hunt Alvin told me there was no such thing as the Easter bunny, and that he saw our Uncle Flor (or Uncle "Egggie" as we've called him ever since) hide the eggs in the early morning.



Linus had no such problems and loved yelling "Oh! EGG!" everytime he got one :)



Ellyn scores!



Madeline in hot pursuit.



Elizabeth climbed though the bushes for these 2 eggs.



Round? Pretty? Yes, but not an egg Hartley.



By the time they were through all the kids had full baskets and were ready to chow on the fruit snacks, gummy bears, and raisins stuffed inside. We all went home glowing from the great food, excitement, and sunshine. Most of all, I was touched by their pure joy and innocence.



As an aside (yes, Gus no longer gets his own posts since he's been demoted to "The Dog") Guster celebrated his 6th birthday in style a few weeks ago with a banana bread and yogurt cake. Ever since, Linus says "Birthday" every time he eats banana bread :)

Cherry Blossoms

Touristy? Yes. Crowded? Yes. Overrated? Hell no! For those of us who survive the winter in the DC area, the Cherry Blossom Festival is a much heralded event that is worthy of all the inconvenience of dealing with thousands of American tourists. Yes, it's all that and a bag of salt and vinegar chips. That's why some of us got together on a lovely morning to brave the Metro and the crowds.

The Tidal Basin with views of the Arlington skyline.



Shortly after arriving we had to stop for snacks.



From left to right: Edye and Ellen, Amy and Maben, yours truly and Linus.



After nourishing ourselves with fig newtons, cheese, apples and milk, we embarked on our mission to circumvent the Tidal Basin.



Posing under a bunch of flowers sure makes you feel young.



The whole gang



The Washington monument



By the way, Mattias skipped work to be there too, but he was behind the camera the whole time.